Sub-surface switch construction for underground electric power distribution

ABSTRACT

A rectangular tank has a rectangular cover secured thereto in fluid tight relation for mounting in a sub-surface vault likely to be flooded. Insulator through bushings are mounted on inclined end portions and one inclined side portion for supporting terminals extending into the space enclosed by the tank and cover. A switching assembly is enclosed by the tank and cover. It comprises stationary contacts connected to the end and side terminals. The contacts are engageable by commonly connected switch blades. Spring operators are connected to the switch blades and remotely operated on pivotal movement of horizontal shafts projecting from a conning tower which extends upwardly from the cover to one side thereof. Indicators on the projecting ends of the shafts show the open or closed position of the switch individual thereto.

United States Patent [191 Gloviak et a1.

SUB-SURFACE SWITCH CONSTRUCTION FOR UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION lnventors: John A. Gloviak, Chicago; Gerald Sakats, Arlington Heights, both of 111.

Assignee: S. & C. Electric Company, Chicago,

Filed: May 15, 1972 Appl. No.: 253,503

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1971 Fox 200/145 X l/l963 Yeckley et a 200/145 10/1967 Leonard et a1...,. 174/152 R X Baguhn 200/153 P X Dripps 200/167 R X [451 Aug. 28, 1973 2,770,701 11/1956 YarrickI... ZOO/167R 3,551,587 12/1970 Propst ..l74/l52R Primal Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer Assistant Examiner-Robert A. Vanderhye Attorney-Ronald L. Engel et a1.

[ 5-7 ABSTRACT A rectangular tank has a rectangular cover secured thereto in fluid tight relation for mounting in a subsurface vault likely to be flooded. Insulator through bushings are mounted on inclined end portions and one inclined side portion for supporting terminals extending, into the space enclosed by the tank and cover. A switching assembly is enclosed by the tank and cover. It comprises stationary contacts connected to the end and side terminals. The contacts are engageable by commonly connected switch blades. Spring operators are connected to the switch blades and remotely operated on pivotal movement of horizontal shafts projecting from a conning tower which extends upwardly from the cover to one side thereof. Indicators on the projecting ends of the shafts show the open or closed position of the switch individual thereto.

10 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEmusza ms SHEEIBUFT PATENTED MIC 2 8 I975 SHEEI '4 0F 7 PATENTEnmsza ms SHEH 6 BF 7 6 2 w 1 H M SUB-SURFACE SWITCH CONSTRUCTION FOR UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION This invention relates, generally, to electric power distribution and it has particular relation to sub-surface switching apparatus likely to be flooded and adapted for operation from a location at the level of the surface. It may employ the load break switch construction disclosed in Harner-Meister U.S. Pat. No. 3,671,697, issued on June 20, 1972 and the switch operator disclosed in Bernatt-Gelfand U.S. Pat. No. 3,563,102, issued Feb. 16, 1971.

Among the objects of this invention are: To provide for switching underground high voltage electric power circuits by apparatus that is subject to flooding; to arrange cable connectors for making electrical connections to switching apparatus in such manner that the bending angle of the cable is reduced and minimum horizontal and vertical training distances are required; to arrange for interconnecting the cables by one or more switches within a fluid tight metallic or plastic housing which are operable from a location at grade level; to provide a conning tower on the cover for the tank enclosing the switch or switches having one or more horizontally extending shafts manually operable from above and connected through suitable linkage to spring operators that, in turn, are connected to the pivotal switch blades of the circuit shifting switches; and

to provide various switch combinations of one, two and three switches, either single phase or polyphase.

In the drawings: FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show single line diagrams of single phase or polyphase switch arrangements for mounting in a housing that is likely to be submerged, FIG. 1 showing incoming and outgoing switches and a tap switch, FIG. 2 showing an incoming switch, and FIG. 3 showing incoming and outgoing switches with a tap connected to the common connection therebetween. FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along line 44 of FIG. 5 and shows the subsurface switchgear embodying the present invention mounted in an undergroud concrete vault that may be subjected to flooding. FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along line 55 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a portion of the switchgear shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, parts of the conning tower being broken away to show certain details of construction. FIG. 7 is a view, in front elevation, of the upper portion of the conning tower. FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view at an enlarged scale taken generally along line 8--8 of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along line 9-9 of FIG. 10 and shows certain details of the switch construction within the metallic or plastic housing. FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the construction shown in FIG. 9, certain parts of the metallic or plastic cover being broken away in order to illustrate the internal details of construction. FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along line 11-11 of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along line 12-12 of FIG. 10. FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along line 13-13 of FIG. 10. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one of the longitudinal insulating barriers.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings it will be observed that the reference character 10 designates, generally, switchgear embodying this invention. The switchgear 10 includes a metallic or plastic housing 11 the outline of which is shown by a broken line and within which there are an incoming switch 12, a tap switch 13, and an outgoing switch 14. It will be understood that these designations are relative and, for example, that switch 14 can also be an incoming switch and switch 12 can be an outgoing switch. Ordinarily the switches 12 and 14 are closed and are connected in a loop circuit for energization from a source through similar switchgear 10 and for energization of similar switchgear 10 from that source. The switches 12, 13 and 14 have stationary contacts 16, 17 and 18, respectively, that are connected to terminals 20, 21 and 22 which extend through the cover of the metallic or plastic housing 11 in a manner to be described. Associated with the stationary contacts 16, 17 and 18 are switch blades 24, 25 and 26 that are arranged to be manually operated through the agency of spring operators in a manner to be described. The switch blades 24, 25 and 26 are commonly connected by a bus bar connection 27. It will be understood that, for a three phase installation, three switches 12, 13 and 14 are employed.

FIG. 2 shows a modification of the switchgear shown in FIG. 1 in that only a single switch 12 is employed in the housing 11.

FIG. 3 shows the use of switches 12 and 14 with the terminal 21 being connected directly to the bus bar connection 27.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5, 9 and 10 it will be observed that the housing 11 is formed by a metallic or plastic rectangular tank 28 and a metallic or plastic cover 29. The cover 29 can be secured to the tank 28 in fluid tight relation by suitable bolts or by welding as will be understood readily. The tank 28 is mounted on suitable supports 30 which are located on the floor of a vault that is indicated, generally, at 31. The vault 31 may be made of poured concrete and usually is located in a position that may be subject to flooding. The housing 11 also may be subject to flooding. It is so designed and constructed that it can be completely submerged with no damage to the switchgear 10 mounted on its interior.

Attention is directed to the fact that the cover 29 is provided with inclined walls 32, 33 and 34. The walls 32 and 34 are end walls, and wall 33 is a side wall. Preferably the angle of inclination is about 30. The reason for the inclined end and side walls will be apparent presently.

Through insulating bushings 36, 37 and 38 are mounted on the walls 32, 33 and 34 for mounting the terminals 20, 21 and 22. Cable end connectors of conventional construction and indicated at 40, 41 and 42 have telescopic engagement withthe through insulating bushing 36, 37 and 38, respectively. The calbe end connectors 40, 41 and 42 are provided with sections 44, 45 and 46, respectively, which extend at right angles to the walls 32, 33 and 34. Cable receiving sections 48, 49 and 50 extend at right angles to the sections 44, 45 and 46 and parallel to the walls 32, 33 and 34 for receiving conductor cables 52, 53 and 54.

The relationship between the inclined cable receiving sections 48, 49 and 50 and the respective cables 52, 53 and 54 is important. As will be apparent from a consideration of FIGS. 4 and 5 this arrangement reduces the bending angle for the cables and minimizes the horizontal and vertical training distances. This greatly facilitates the cable arrangement and connection to the-terminals 20, 21 and 22.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9, and 11 insulators 56, 57 and 58 support the stationary contacts 16, 17 and 18 of the switches 12, 13 and 14. The insulators 56, 57 and 58 are suspended from transverse channels 60, 61 and 62 which form parts of metallic frames for each pahse of the switchgear. Flexible conductor 64, bus bars 65 and flexible conductor 66 are employed for interconnecting the terminals 20, 21 and 22 and the stationary contacts 16, 17 and 18 of the switches 12, 13 and 14. The bus bar connections 27, which commonly interconnect the switch blades 24, 25 and 26, are mounted on suitable insulators 67 which are carried by channels 68 suitably mounted on the metallic framework for the switchgear.

Each of the switches 12, 13 and 14 is provided with an arc chute 70, 71 and 72, respectively, for assisting in extinguishing arcs that are drawn when the switch blades 24, 25 and 26 are pivoted to the open circuit po sitions.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 suitable transverse insulating barriers 73 are provided on opposite sides of the terminals 21. Insulating barriers 74 extend longitudinally between the phases of the switches 12, 13 and 14 as shown more clearly in FIG. 11. Insulating barriers 75 are located between the end walls of the tank 28 and the switches 12 and 14.

It will be understood that the transverse channels 60, 61 and 62 form the upper portions of metallic frames 76, 77 and 78 on which the switches 12, 13 and 14 are mounted.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 11 the switches 12, 13 and 14 have laterally extending shafts 80, 81 and 82 on which interphase insulators 84, 85 and 86 are mounted for the purpose of carrying the switch blades of the respective switches in insulated spaced relation I while permittingtheir conjoint pivotal movement between open and closed positions. In FIG. 9 it will be noted that the switch blades 24, 25 and 26 are mounted on switch plates 88, 89 and 90 that are arranged to be engaged by contacts 92, 93 and 94 which are connected to and supported by the bus bar connection 27.

Referring to FIG. 13 it will be noted that the shafts 80, 81 and 82 have secured thereto bell cranks 96, 97 and 98. These bell cranks are arranged to be pivoted between stops 100 a pair of which is mounted on each of the cross channels 104, and 106 that are carried by upright channels 108, 109 and 110 which form parts of the frames 76, 77 and 78.

For pivoting the shafts 8 0, 81 and 82 between the switch closed and switch open positions adjustable links 112, 113 and 114 are connected to one arm of each of the bell cranks 96, 97 and 98 and to sector plates 116, 117 and 118 which are mounted on horizontal operating shafts 120, 121 and 122. The horizontal operating shafts 120, 121 and 122 form parts of spring operators 124, 125 and 126 which may be constructed as disclosed in the above identified Bernatt- Gelfand patent. The spring operators 124, 125 and 126 are mounted between cross members 127 which extend across the upright channels 108, 109 and 110. Secured to the shafts 120, 121 and 122 are sprockets 128, 129 and 130 which have connected thereto chain assemblies 132, 133 and 134. Each of the chain assemblies includes a fixed link 135 and an adjustable link 136.1t will be observed that a chain section interconnects these links and extends over the sprockets 128, 129 and 130. At their upper ends the links 135 and 136 are interconnected by chain sections which are trained over sprockets 138, 139 and 140 that are mounted on and pivot with horizontal operating shafts 142, 143 and 144.

Attention is directed to the fact that the horizontal operating shafts 1'42, 143 and 144, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13, are pivotally mounted in a conning tower of metal or plastic that is indicated, generally, at 145. The conning tower extends upwardly from the metallic or plastic cover 24. The rear wall of the conning tower 145 constitutes an extension of the rear wall of the tank 28. The conning tower 145 is of limited width sufficient only to pivotally mount the horizontal operating shafts 142, 143 and 144 and to provide for external manual pivoting thereof in a manner to be described. The conning tower 145 is p0- sitioned intermediate the terminals 20 and 22 and is spaced away from the side through which the terminals 21 extend.

The front side of the conning tower 145 is provided with a plate 146 which may be bolted or welded thereto so as to provide a fluid tight construction. Each of the horizontal operating shafts 142, 143 and 144 extends through a bearing seal as indicated, generally, at 147 in FIG. 8. Thus it is possible for water to immerse the conning tower 145 without likelihood of entrance of water into the interior of it or of the housing 11.

For manual operation hexagonal heads 148, 149 and 150 are provided on the outer ends of the horizontal operating shafts 142, 143 and 144. They are arranged to detachably receive an operating bar 151 that is indicated in FIGS. 5, 11, 12 and 13. As shown in FIG. 13 a movement of the operating bar 151 through an angle of about 70 is sufficient to effect the closing of the respective switch. Similarly a corresponding reverse movement is sufficient to effect opening of the respective switch.

It is desirable to provide a visual indication of the position of the switches 12, 13 and 14. For this purpose sector shaped switch position indicators 152, 153 and 154 are mounted on the horizontal operating shafts 142, 143 and 144 for pivotal movement therewith. Each indicator 152, 153 and 154 is provided with laterally extending flanges 155 and 156 which, as shown in FIG. 6, carry indicia indicating the position of the respective switch as being either OPEN or CLOSED.

Advantage is taken of the presence of the flanges 155 and 156 to lock the horizontal operating shafts 142, 143 and 144 in either the open or closed position. It will be observed that the'flanges 155 and 156 in the positions shown in FIG. 7 underlie locking sections 157 of an angle member 158 that may be mounted on the plate 146. Openings 159 are provided in the flanges 155 and 156 in register with openings 160 in the locking sections 157. These registering openings are arranged to receive shackles 161 of padlocks 162, 163 and 164. Thus unauthorized operation of the switchgear is prevented.

We claim:

1. Switching means for location in a sub-surface vault or the like comprising a tank, a cover for said tank in sealed water tight engagement with said tank having inclined end wall portions, through bushing means mounted on and normal to and extending through said inclined end wall portions, terminals extending from the exterior of said cover through said bushing means into the space enclosed by said cover and said tank,

separable insulated cable means having telescoped engagement with said bushing means and contacting the exterior portion of the respective terminals so that said cable connector means may be easily removed from said bushing means and said terminals, switch means within the space enclosed by said cover and said tank for interconnecting said terminals, sealed water tight conning tower means having a hollow interior portion projecting upwardly from said cover, the hollow portion of said conning tower means communicating with the space enclosed by said cover and said tank, operating means for said switch means enclosed within said conning tower means, and means interconnecting said switch means and said operating means.

2. Switching means according to claim 1 wherein said cable connector means include cable receiving sections extending generally parallel to the respective inclined end walls of said cover to minimize the bending angle of the respective cables from a location below said cover.

3. Switching means according to claim 1 wherein said switch means includes a first horizontal operating shaft, said operating means includes a second horizontal operating shaft projecting at one end outwardly of said conning tower means through sealed water tight bearing means, and said means interconnecting said switch means and said operating means comprises a chain trained over sprockets on said first and second shafts.

4. Switching means according to claim 3 wherein a switch position indicator is mounted on and is movable with the end of said second shaft projecting from said conning tower means.

5. Switching means according to claim 1 wherein said switch means comprise stationary contact means individual to said terminals mounted on said end wall portions and switch blade means individual to said stationary contact means, and conductor means interconnect said switch blade means.

6. Switching means for location in a sub-surface vault or the like comprising a tank, a cover for said tank having inclined end wall portions and one inclined side wall portion, said cover in sealed water tight engagement with said tank, through bushing means mounted on said inclined end and side walls, terminals extending from the exterior of said cover through said bushing means into the space enclosed by said cover and said tank, separable insulated cable connector means hav ing telescoped engagement with said bushing means and contacting the exterior portion of the respective terminals so that said cable connector means may be easily removed from said bushing means and said terminals, switch means within the space enclosed by said cover and said tank for interconnecting said terminals extending through said inclined end walls and said terminals extending through said inclined side wall, sealed water tight conning tower means having a hollow interior portion projecting upwardly from said cover, the hollow interior portion of said conning tower means communicating with the space enclosed by said cover and said tank, operating means for said switch means enclosed within said conning tower means, and means interconnecting said switch means and said operating means.

7. Switching means according to claim 6 wherein said cable connector means include cable receiving sections extending generally parallel to the respective inclined end and side wall portions of said cover to minimize the bending angle of the respective cables from a location below said cover.

8. Switching means according to claim 6 wherein said switch means includes a first horizontal operating shaft, said operating means includes a second horizontal operating shaft projecting at one end outwardly of said conning tower means through sealed water tight bearing means, and said means interconnecting said switch means, and said operating means comprises a chain trained over sprockets on said first and second shafts.

9. Switching means according to claim 8 wherein a switch position indicator is mounted on and is movable with the end of said second shaft projecting from said conning tower means.

10. Switching means according to claim 6 wherein said switch means comprise stationary contact means individual to said terminals mounted on said end and side wall portions and switch blade means individual to said stationary contact means, and conductor means interconnect said switch blade means. 

1. Switching means for location in a sub-surface vault or the like comprising a tank, a cover for said tank in sealed water tight engagement with said tank having inclined end wall portions, through bushing means mounted on and normal to and extending through said inclined end wall portions, terminals extending from the exterior of said cover through said bushing means into the space enclosed by said cover and said tank, separable insulated cable means having telescoped engagement with said bushing means and contacting the exterior portion of the respective terminals so that said cable connector means may be easily removed from said bushing means and said terminals, switch means within the space enclosed by said cover and said tank for interconnecting said terminals, sealed water tight conning tower means having a hollow interior portion projecting upwardly from said cover, the hollow portion of said conning tower means communicating with the space enclosed by said cover and said tank, operating means for said switch means enclosed withiN said conning tower means, and means interconnecting said switch means and said operating means.
 2. Switching means according to claim 1 wherein said cable connector means include cable receiving sections extending generally parallel to the respective inclined end walls of said cover to minimize the bending angle of the respective cables from a location below said cover.
 3. Switching means according to claim 1 wherein said switch means includes a first horizontal operating shaft, said operating means includes a second horizontal operating shaft projecting at one end outwardly of said conning tower means through sealed water tight bearing means, and said means interconnecting said switch means and said operating means comprises a chain trained over sprockets on said first and second shafts.
 4. Switching means according to claim 3 wherein a switch position indicator is mounted on and is movable with the end of said second shaft projecting from said conning tower means.
 5. Switching means according to claim 1 wherein said switch means comprise stationary contact means individual to said terminals mounted on said end wall portions and switch blade means individual to said stationary contact means, and conductor means interconnect said switch blade means.
 6. Switching means for location in a sub-surface vault or the like comprising a tank, a cover for said tank having inclined end wall portions and one inclined side wall portion, said cover in sealed water tight engagement with said tank, through bushing means mounted on said inclined end and side walls, terminals extending from the exterior of said cover through said bushing means into the space enclosed by said cover and said tank, separable insulated cable connector means having telescoped engagement with said bushing means and contacting the exterior portion of the respective terminals so that said cable connector means may be easily removed from said bushing means and said terminals, switch means within the space enclosed by said cover and said tank for interconnecting said terminals extending through said inclined end walls and said terminals extending through said inclined side wall, sealed water tight conning tower means having a hollow interior portion projecting upwardly from said cover, the hollow interior portion of said conning tower means communicating with the space enclosed by said cover and said tank, operating means for said switch means enclosed within said conning tower means, and means interconnecting said switch means and said operating means.
 7. Switching means according to claim 6 wherein said cable connector means include cable receiving sections extending generally parallel to the respective inclined end and side wall portions of said cover to minimize the bending angle of the respective cables from a location below said cover.
 8. Switching emans according to claim 6 wherein said switch means includes a first horizontal operating shaft, said operating means includes a second horizontal operating shaft projecting at one end outwardly of said conning tower means through sealed water tight bearing means, and said means interconnecting said switch means and said operating means comprises a chain trained over sprockets on said first and second shafts.
 9. Switching means according to claim 8 wherein a switch position indicator is mounted on and is movable with the end of said second shaft projecting from said conning tower means.
 10. Switching means according to claim 6 wherein said switch means comprise stationary contact means individual to said terminals mounted on said end and side wall portions and switch blade means individual to said stationary contact means, and conductor means interconnect said switch blade means. 